When Dale Earnhardt Jr. was beaten by 0.007 seconds by Dale Sr. at Michigan

During a 1999 International Race of Champions (IROC) event at Michigan International Speedway, a 25-year-old Dale Earnhardt Jr. found himself door-to-door with his father, the legendary Dale Earnhardt, whose name is synonymous with NASCAR today. The American driver, who raced in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series from 1975 to 2001, was a feared opponent on the racetrack.

Through his long and illustrious career, Dale Sr., often regarded as the 'intimidator', amassed 76 wins, 428 top-10s, and 22 poles. He won seven championships, equalling Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson.

It has been 25 years now since the memorable race at Michigan in which Earnhardt won against his son by 0.007 seconds. As NASCAR prepares to host its upcoming Cup Series event at the two-mile 'D'-shaped oval, NASCAR on NBC remembered the race that witnessed the father-son duo battle with each other. It posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said:

"25 years ago, Dale Earnhardt beat Dale Jr. to the line by just 0.007 seconds to WIN at Michigan in IROC."

Further, in an interview reported by The Durango Herald in 2017, Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflected on the race and said:

"It seemed like only me and him were racing each other for the win. I was very proud of that because I thought he was the best in the sport at the time. It was like beating Jimmie Johnson if he came down to the Xfinity Series. So, that was a big deal for us."

Earnhardt Jr. has 26 wins in the Cup Series, which ties him with Fred Lorenzen at 32nd on the all-time list. Junior also won a pair of NASCAR Xfinity Series championships (then known as the Busch Series) in 1998 and 1999.

Today, Earnhardt Jr. co-owns JR Motorsports (a 58-time race-winning team in the Xfinity Series) along with his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller. He also co-owns the zMAX CARS Tour, a Late Model asphalt racing series.

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When Dale Earnhardt Jr. interviewed his father

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is also popular for his podcast, "Dale Junior Download", interviewing his father, the 'intimidator' himself, is undoubtedly a priceless moment for any NASCAR fan out there. Such an interaction happened back in 1990, when Dale Earnhardt won the DIEHARD 500 and his 16-year-old son walked up to him in the victory lane.

"What's the question dude?" Earnhardt Sr. said.

A lighthearted exchange followed.

"How was the race?" Junior said.

"Well, it was hot but it was fast. Just like you told me to go."

"Did you draft a lot?"

"Yeah, drafted just like you told me to before the race... we did exactly what you told us and we won the race."

Earnhardt Jr. then said:

"Are you gonna give me some money when you get home?"

As the onlookers burst into laughter, Earnhardt Sr. smiled and said:

"I doubt it. You spent enough down here this week."

It has been 23 years since NASCAR lost its star. Dale Earnhardt Sr. ran the last race of his life on February 18, 2001 at Daytona International Speedway. At the age of 49, he succumbed to injuries sustained in a spine-chilling crash in the last lap of the 43rd Daytona 500.